Within the last week or so, Mike Cameron announced he is retiring from major league baseball. If you looked at his production and his inability to stay healthy over the past two seasons, his retirement was not much of a surprise. He had signed a contract with the Washington Nationals to be a part time player, but he changed his mind before the reporting dates for spring training. Over the course of his playing career, there were few players that could be considered a better representation of what a ball player should exemplify. His constant smile showed he always enjoyed the "game" that he was playing. His hard nosed style of play was a sign he was never letting up, not even for one play. It also showed he never let the amount of money he was making get in the way of how hard he always played. It is sad that mine, as well as many other Mets fans, most vivid memory is of that horrific outfield collision with Carlos Beltran in 2005 that could have ended Cameron's career. It was a sign of the way the guy played. He actually played six more seasons after that, most of them productive. He was part of a couple of memorable trades. He was who the White Sox traded to the Reds for franchise player Paul Konerko. He was the centerpiece in the trade that moved Ken Griffey Jr out of Seattle and into Cincinnati. When it comes down to rating Cameron as a player, it could be pointed out that he struck out a lot. But, there are some that strike out at a higher pace than Cameron. He was a very good power hitter, capable of giving you 20-25 homeruns in a given season; maxing out with 30 for the Mets in 2004. He played as good of a centerfield as anybody in the game. He was up there with Griffey, Beltran, Tori Hunter as capable of making any diving catch and could leap over the fence to take a HR away from anybody. He was also considered a solid teammate and a leader wherever he played. Thats what makes the reports of "conduct detrimental to the team" for the reason of him being released from the Florida Marlins at the end of last season seem shady or not believable. The fairest player comparison I can make to Cameron is 1960s and '70s outfielder Jim Wynn. Wynn was a power hitter for the Astros for most of his career and considered by many to be the best player on the team. I think the career similarities when it comes to stats is remarkable. Cameron played for 17 seasons while Wynn played 15. Cameron finished hit career with 1665 hits, 278 HR and 968 RBI. Wynn had 1665 hits, 291 HR and 964 RBI. Cameron hit .249 while Wynn hit .250 for his career. Partially because of the increase in batters striking out in this generation, Cameron owns a significant lead when it comes to Ks (1901-1427). Wynn owns a slight lead in OPS .802-.782. Very few players pass through the Mets organization and become one of my favorites. Its easy to say that about Mike Cameron. It was tough for Cameron how the Mets signed him to be their CF and a year later added Carlos Beltran. He did the right thing by moving to RF because Beltran was a better player in a more prime part of his career. But it did not prove that Cameron was no longer a CF. He played there for his two years in San Diego followed by his two seasons in Milwaukee. Though his last two seasons proved that he was near the end of the road, the game will miss his childlike smile. Its a shame many in the game today don't play the game like he did.

Cameron was somewhat of an enigma, or maybe it was just that the game came easy to him. He showed in Seattle, in 2001, that he could drive in runs. 110 of them. But never came close to the century mark again. Never hit above .273? With that speed?

So much potential, but never able put it all together on a consistent basis. Much like another Astro, Cesar Cedeno.

Reply

john pielli

2/23/2012 11:20:07 pm

Thanks for replying Bob. Though career stats were similar, I do think that Wynn was more of a team leader. There were years where Wynn was the best player on the team. Could not be said about Cameron. I didn't get a chance to see Wynn play. I enjoyed the way Cameron played the game, he seemed happy to be out there. Don't think he took anything for granted. Statistically I was surprised how close they were.